multicultural Hot Words

Prejudice...

Definition

Prejudice is a negative opinion about a person based upon their association with a particular or ethnic, cultural or social group.

Prejudice is derived from the word “pre-judge”, which means to reach a conclusion before hearing the evidence.

There are many causes that help shape an individual’s prejudicial attitudes such as fear, suspicion, mistaken beliefs, competition, generational prejudices and scapegoating.

Prejudice can be very subtle. Sometimes people do not even realise that they hold prejudice about something as they have learned the attitude from their family and observe it in the people around them.

What makes it hot?

Prejudice prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation as it involves deciding what someone is like before getting to know that person. Prejudice is a hotword as it can lead to discrimination and racism.

Date Added:

10 March 2002